Gyratory System - Utility Music
by Adrian Huggins
published: 27 / 1 / 2014
Label:
Soft Bodies Records
Format: CD
intro
Occasionally self-indulgent but enjoyable instrumental electronica on third album from London-based band, Gyratory System
‘Utility Music’ is the third album by Gyratory System and is released by Soft Bodies Records, who are purveyors of all things mental. Fitting well into that ideology, Gyratory System do not stray that far from what is norm for Soft Bodies. Rather than being a total brain fizz, ‘Utility Music’ is, however, a gentle guide through a magical electronic world. It could be the sound track to ‘Tron’, if ‘Tron were instead to feature a robot engaging in laidback summer’s activities rather than future humans playing on space-age motorbikes. There is a wide-eyed innocence to ‘Utility Music’, making it an enjoyable rather than a challenging listen. With their influences ranging from Talk Talk to Kraftwerk, their music is all machine-based, but there is, however, a human touch to Gryatory System. This personable quality shines through on tracks such as ‘AAA’, the kids’ orchestra -esque ‘The Spectrum’, and particularly on the latter part of the album with ‘Mr Portsmouth’ and the prog-tastic ‘This Could Be Your Party’, both of which draw the album to a gentle but memorable end. As an album it does feel as though it drags on a little around the middle as there’s only so much electronic music a human can take in one sitting, but hope is not totally lost. This is often the difficulty with instrumental albums/bands as you do find yourself from time to time missing that human voice that keeps things in the real world rather than becoming background music. Overall, however, though there is enough quality on this album to make it an enjoyable and worthwhile listen.
Track Listing:-
1 John Frum2 Harmonograph
3 Aaa
4 The Spectrum
5 Lackland
6 Thorney Island
7 Messidor
8 Old Harmony
9 Mr. Portsmouth
10 This Could Be Your Party
Band Links:-
https://twitter.com/gyratorysystemhttp://www.gyratorysystem.com/
https://www.facebook.com/gyratorysystem
http://gyratorysystem.bandcamp.com/
Label Links:-
http://www.softbodiesrecords.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/softbodiesrecords
https://twitter.com/SoftBodies
http://softbodiesrecords.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Quimpervideos
http://softbodies.bandcamp.com/
soundcloud
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart